The Catalan membership gained Thursday’s Copa del Rey semi-final first leg 1-0 on the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium – the primary of three matches between the Spanish powerhouses over the subsequent few weeks.
Barcelona gained with an personal aim from Madrid defender Eder Militão within the first half.
The rivals will even meet within the Spanish league on March 19 in Barcelona and within the return leg of the Copa semi-finals on April 5.
It was additionally the primary match between the rivals because it turned public that Barcelona paid hundreds of thousands of euros to the vice-chairman of the nation’s refereeing committee in a number of years. A banner carried by Madrid followers on the Bernabeu mentioned: “Clean and white, never tarnished.”
Osasuna beat Athletic Bilbao 1-0 at house on Wednesday within the first leg of the second semi-final.
It was a good match on the Bernabeu, with the groups struggling to create vital scoring alternatives. Madrid managed possession however couldn’t break down Barcelona’s defence, ending the match with none pictures on course.
🎙️ Xavi: “We didn’t stand a chance.” #El Clasico pic.twitter.com/pAZrcWcy0h
– FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 3, 2023
The guests took the lead within the twenty sixth minute when the ball went previous Militão after a run within the space by Barcelona midfielder Frank Casey. The aim got here after Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga misplaced possession close to midfield. It was initially disallowed by Casey for offside, however was later confirmed after video overview.
Barcelona coach Xavi mentioned, “I am satisfied with the result but not with the way we played.” “It would be nice to play at home with our fans in the return leg, but I still think Madrid are the favorites to advance.”
Madrid thought that they had opened the scoring within the twelfth with Karim Benzema discovered to be offside. Casey went near including to Barcelona’s lead within the 74th, however his shot from the center of the world was inadvertently cleared close to the aim line by teammate Ansu Fati.
🎙️ Ronald Araujo: “We were great defensively.” #El Clasico pic.twitter.com/DRqOxmfhMt
– FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 3, 2023
Barcelona gained regardless of enjoying with out a few of their prime scorers because of accidents – Robert Lewandowski, Ousmane Dembele and Pedri, a trio who’ve scored 40 targets this season, with 25 coming from Lewandowski. Xavi additionally couldn’t rely on central defender Andreas Christensen because of harm. He began with Marcos Alonso instead of Christensen and Ronald Araújo was promoted to the proper again place.
Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets performed in his forty sixth “Clásico” and surpassed former teammate Lionel Messi and Madrid defender Sergio Ramos for probably the most appearances in video games between golf equipment.
“It’s an important result that gives us a small advantage for the homecoming match,” Busquets mentioned. “We were coming off two defeats and were missing a few players, so it strengthens the group.”
Barcelona was shedding 1-0 to Almeria within the Spanish league, which marked the primary time the Catalan membership had failed to attain since October. Earlier, it was eradicated by Manchester United within the Europa League playoffs. It leads Madrid by seven factors within the league.
let’s go!!! #El Clasico pic.twitter.com/XaHeleAwPj
– FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 3, 2023
Barcelona beat Madrid 3–1 within the Spanish Super Cup ultimate in January, however misplaced by the identical rating within the season’s first “clásico” in a league match on the Bernabeu final yr.
Barcelona additionally received the most effective of Madrid the final time they met within the Copa, successful 3-0 within the second leg on the Bernabeu within the 2019 semi-finals.
Madrid was with out central defender David Alaba and left-back Ferland Mendy because of harm. Rodrigo had returned from harm, however began on the bench within the beginning lineup alongside Vinicius Júnior and Benzema, however was not capable of produce a lot.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti mentioned, “We didn’t deserve to lose, we played well.” “It provides us confidence for the return match. If we will do that in Barcelona, we may have an opportunity to maneuver on.
A fan was detained by safety on the Bernabeu after getting into the bottom.
Barcelona is the membership with probably the most Copa titles with 31, eight greater than Athletic. Madrid is subsequent with 19, however none since 2014.
The ultimate can be performed in Seville on May 6.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
